Woman, 67, facing murder charges

JACKSON - An Amador County woman is facing murder charges after her husband died of burn injuries sustained in a fire she allegedly started at a home in Plymouth, authorities said.

Hein Thi Simmons, 67, was charged with murder last Wednesday, six days after her 76-year-old husband succumbed to his injuries from the fire, officials said. Authorities have not released the man's name.

Simmons was initially arrested Sept. 17 after deputies responded to a report of domestic violence at a home in the 5100 block of Welsh Pond Road in Plymouth, deputies said. She was arrested on suspicion of inflicting traumatic injury upon a spouse or cohabitant, assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm and elder abuse resulting in great bodily injury, authorities said.

An Amador County Superior Court judge issued a restraining order prohibiting Simmons from returning to the residence or making contact with her husband, deputies said. Authorities found she had violated the restraining order when they responded to a report of a fire at the home Sept. 21, officials said. Simmons suffered minor injuries while her husband sustained serious burns in the blaze, deputies said.

Simmons was arrested on suspicion of arson resulting in great bodily injury, aggravated arson and elder abuse resulting in great bodily injury, officials said. Authorities added the murder charge after her husband died Jan. 31 at a Santa Clara County care facility, where he was being treated for extensive burn injuries, deputies said.